Johnson Seeds
AC Greenfix




Introduction
AC Greenfix, a variety of chickling vetch (Lathyrus sativus) was released to JOHNSON SEEDS in 1995.  Chickling vetch, a new type of annual legume for the prairies, has great potential as a green manure crop.

High Biomass Yields
AC Greenfix is slow to get started, similar to most other legumes, but grows aggressively once it is established.  Chemical weed control is not recommended as the crop can be incorporated along with the weeds, prior to any viable seed set.

High Nitrogen Content
The superior nitrogen fixation ability of AC Greenfix makes it a good choice for improving soil nitrogen fertility on the prairies.

High Water Use Efficiency
AC Greenfix performs well under conditions of moisture stress without depleting sub-soil moisture.

Low Seeding Rate
The profuse branching of AC Greenfix, means a seeding rate of only 70 lbs/acre, keeping seed costs low.

Grain Production
AC Greenfix will set seed and then die, similar to most annual crops, but the grain from this variety should not be fed to livestock as it contains a neurotoxin that may cause the onset of an irreversible paralysis.


Recommendations
Seed AC Greenfix at 70 lbs/acre as early in spring as possible ( it has good frost tolerance)  and work it into the soil at full bloom or later.  Be sure to use a peat based, or granular inoculant to ensure nodulation and good nitrogen fixation.  AC Greenfix uses the same inoculant as peas.  Crop desiccation also works, but 20 percent of the nitrogen from the above ground plant parts can be lost.  If drought conditions occur during production, and a water deficit for the following year's crop is a concern, then incorporate AC Greenfix prior to full bloom to conserve soil moisture levels.

AC Greenfix was created by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada


Research Results



Table 1:  Dry matter production at full bloom of AC Greenfix chickling vetch compared to "Indianhead" black lentil in Saskatchewan and Alberta tests averaged by soil zone.

SOIL TYPE
AC Greenfix
(C.V.)
kg/ha
Indianhead
(B.L)
kg/ha
C.V. Yield as % of B.L.
Brown
1967
1452
136
Dark Brown
2300
1173
196
Black
2975
3100
96
Black Solod
2789
2925
95


Table 2:  Nitrogen fixation by the difference (inoculated plant N- uninoculated plant N) for four legume green manure crops at full bloom at Swift Current, SK (3 year mean from 1984, 1986, 1987)

Legume
% plant N derived from atmosphere
Total fixed N
(Tops and Roots)
Mean
kg/ha
Total fixed N
(Tops and Roots)
Range
kg/ha
1Fertilizer N equivalent value
$/ha
Chickling Vetch 
c.v.AC Greenfix
74
 59
33-93
41
Black Lentil 
c.v.Indianhead
65
 35
21-42
24
Feed pea 
c.v.Sirius
68
 45
15-67
31
Tangier Flatpea
64
 31
10-45
21
1 Based on a total application cost of $0.69/kg N



Table 3:  Effect of previous year's crop on the grain yield of wheat, c.v. Leader, at Swift Current, SK.

Previous year's crop1
Year of wheat production
1985
Year of wheat production
1987
Year of wheat production
1989
3-year mean
Chickling vetch 
c.v.AC Greenfix
1250
1670
2500
1810
Black Lentil 
c.v.Indianhead
1160
1590
2400
1720
Feed pea 
c.v.Sirius
1100
1430
2290
1610
Tangier flatpea 
c.v.Tinga
1080
1520
2180
1590
Summer fallow 
unfertilized
1180
2040
2290
1840
Wheat 
N&P fertilized
774
1070
1580
1140
1Chickling vetch, black lentil, feed pea, Tangier flatpea were incorporated at full bloom as green manure.



Table 4:  Shoot dry matter and nitrogen production at 48 days after planting for six legume species at Winnipeg, MB on a zero N soil in 1996.

Crop type
Variety name
Plants per m2
#
Vine length
cm
Dry weight
kg/ha
Nitrogen content
kg/ha
Chickling vetch
AC Greenfix
36
77
1080
49
Lentil
Indianhead
96
37
980
38
Pea
Trapper
39
72
1130
43
Hairy vetch
-
82
51
720
43
Berseem clover
Bigbee
157
36
660
18
Alfalfa
Nitro
90
46
1230
49



Table 5:  Shoot dry matter and nitrogen production at 71 days after planting for six legume species at Winnipeg, MB on a zero N soil in 1996.

Crop type
Variety name
Plants per m2
#
Vine length
cm
Dry weight
kg/ha
Nitrogen content
kg/ha
Chickling vetch
AC Greenfix
36
127
4390
150
Lentil
Indianhead
96
62
4720
120
Pea
Trapper
39
135
3650
110
Hairy vetch
-
82
102
2970
100
Berseem clover
Bigbee
157
80
3790
110
Alfalfa
Nitro
90
72
3050
110



For more information about AC Greenfix phone, fax, write, or email us at the address below.
 

JOHNSON SEEDS
Attn: Eric Klassen
P.O. Box 3000
Arborg, MB R0C 0A0
ph. (204) 453-2514
fax (204) 376-2201
email: Eric Klassen

For more information about AC Greenfix production and marketing in the USA phone, write, or email to the address below.
 

DAKOTA FRONTIER SEEDS
6540 45th Avevnue
Flasher, ND 58535
ph. (701) 597-3919
email: Dakota Frontier Seeds

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